Further bad news for semi-finalist Turkey as Nihat ruled out

DPA Vienna, June 22 (DPA) Turkish coach Fatih Terim, who had only 17 players from his squad of 23 available for Friday’s dramatic 3-1 penalty shoot-out quarter-final victory against Croatia, received more bad news on Saturday as inspirational striker Nihat Kahveci was ruled out for their semi-final clash against Germany. Nihat, who plays for Villarreal in Spain, was taken off with an injury during the victory against Croatia and Turkish media reported Saturday that he will miss the clash against Germany.

Terim will also be without Tuncay Sanli, Arda Turan, Volkan Demirel and Emre Asik who are suspended, while Emre Gungor will not be available because of an injury.

Several other players were also ruled out against Croatia through injury and there must be some doubts about the availability of Servet Cetin, Emre Belozoglu, Tumer Metin and Ayhan Akman for the semi-final clash.

Terim has however spurned the opportunity of calling up an extra player. “I believe in my squad,” he has said.

He is now hoping that Monday’s appeal by goalkeeper Volkan against a two-match suspension is upheld to allow him to return to the poles against Germany. DPA